2013 Toyota Prius — Known Issues & Recalls

Your car's ABS (anti-lock braking) system has failed multiple times, causing longer stopping distances and a very hard brake pedal. When this happens, you also lose traction control and the hybrid regenerative braking system, and your dashboard lights up with warning indicators for all these functions. The dealership has replaced failed parts, but the problem keeps returning. Fixing this will likely require a thorough ABS system diagnosis and replacement of faulty ABS components or the brake control module.

Your brake warning lights came on suddenly, and a diagnostic revealed an internal leak in your brake actuator assembly (code C1391). This causes your brake pedal to feel soft and unpredictable, which reduces your stopping power and disables your ABS system — a serious safety concern. Toyota has a known service program for this issue but is refusing to cover the repair because they say the coverage expired in 2023, even though your vehicle is well under their 150,000-mile limit. Fixing this will require replacing the brake actuator and booster assembly.

Your ABS (anti-lock brake) warning light came on and the system stopped working while you were driving, which made your brakes less effective and harder to steer while braking. This reduced braking performance could increase the risk of an accident.

Your brake system suddenly failed while driving, with all dashboard warning lights illuminating and your brakes becoming soft and unresponsive. You were only able to operate at about 20% of normal braking power and had to drive carefully home. The dealer identified a failed brake actuator and quoted $4,000 for repair.

Your brake warning lights (red brake light, traction control light, and ABS light) all came on at the same time. Toyota diagnosed that your brake pump has failed and needs to be replaced, which means your brakes could stop working properly. This repair will involve replacing the brake pump assembly.

Your brake booster and brake booster pump assembly have failed, which triggered multiple warning lights on your dashboard including the ABS light, brake system warning light, slip indicator light, and electric power steering light. This means your brakes may not work properly or may feel harder to press. The repair will require replacing the failed brake booster and pump assembly components.

Your brakes lost their stopping power and became difficult to operate, even though braking was normally smooth. Multiple warning lights came on the dashboard. A Toyota dealer diagnosed that your brake booster pump assembly and brake master cylinder need to be replaced.

While driving on the interstate, your daughter experienced a sudden brake failure where the car wouldn't stop at normal distances, forcing her to pull over safely. The dealer diagnosed a failed brake booster, which required a $3,200 repair. Your daughter's safety was at risk due to what you believe is a known design defect in this model year, and you're concerned about the lack of a recall despite similar reports from other owners.

Your ABS, Brake, and Traction Control warning lights came on while driving, and diagnostics revealed a fault code C1391 in the brake system. This is a known issue affecting 2012-2015 Prius models, and there's a potential safety risk since brake failure could occur while driving. Repairing this will likely require brake system diagnostics and replacement of a defective component related to the ABS or brake control module.

Your brake actuator failed at 120,000 miles, making the brake pedal hard to press and preventing the car from stopping properly—you nearly hit another vehicle before having it towed. The dashboard warning lights all came on, and the repair is expensive. The fix will require replacing the brake actuator, which is a key component of your braking system.

After your car was serviced on October 21st, you noticed your brakes made a whooshing noise and felt spongy. When you returned on November 1st, the dealer told you the hydraulic brake booster pump needed replacement for $3,400. You later discovered this is a known recall issue for 2010-2019 Prius models that the dealer didn't mention, and you're concerned about brake failure safety.

Your brake booster failed, making your brakes unresponsive when you pressed the pedal. Instead of stopping normally, your car kept sliding, creating a dangerous situation where you nearly lost control. The repair will likely involve replacing the brake booster, a component that helps amplify your braking force.

Your brakes suddenly stopped responding, and multiple warning lights appeared on your dashboard (ABS, brake system, and slip indicator lights). A repair shop diagnosed the problem as a failed brake booster assembly, which means your brakes won't function properly. The repair will require replacing the entire brake booster assembly.

Your ABS, brake, and stability control warning lights came on, and you now have to press the brake pedal all the way down to make the car stop. This suggests a serious braking system problem that needs immediate attention. The issue likely involves your ABS module, brake fluid system, or brake pads and may require diagnostic testing and component replacement.

While driving, your ABS, brake light, and traction control warning lights came on simultaneously. Your brake pedal became extremely hard to press and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle at a traffic light, forcing you to swerve and pull into a parking lot. You heard a constant beeping brake warning noise. Based on your research and other Prius owner complaints, this appears to be related to a brake booster or brake accumulator failure.

Your Prius's brake actuator (the component that controls your ABS and stability control systems) failed, which reduced your vehicle's ability to stop safely and maintain traction, especially in emergencies. Before it completely failed, you likely noticed ABS, Traction Control, and VSC warning lights appearing and disappearing while driving, eventually staying on all the time. The Toyota dealer confirmed the failure using diagnostic testing and replaced the entire brake actuator assembly, which is a major repair that typically costs around $3,000.

While driving down into Los Angeles, your ABS warning light, traction control light, and brake warning light suddenly came on together. Your brakes still worked, but the brake assist felt weaker than normal. A Toyota dealership diagnosed an internal hydraulic leak in your brake booster system, affecting the booster assembly, master cylinder, and booster pump — all sealed components that shouldn't fail during normal use. Fixing this requires replacing the brake booster assembly, master cylinder, and brake booster pump.

Your ABS warning light came on while driving, and you noticed the brakes felt weak and required pumping to work properly. You also discovered brake fluid leaking from the vehicle. Toyota diagnosed that your brake booster and booster pump need replacement, but you learned a recall may exist for this issue on other Prius models—though the dealership said your car isn't covered. The fix will require replacing the brake booster and booster pump assembly.

Your brake pedal went down, but instead of stopping, your car unexpectedly lunged forward. At the same time, your ABS warning light and several other warning lights came on. The dealer looked at it but didn't diagnose or fix the problem. This happened around 65,000 miles.

Your engine develops a crack in the head gasket, causing the engine to stall and stutter when switching between electric and gas power. You may also experience severe shaking. The check engine light will come on. Fixing this requires replacing the cracked head gasket, which is a major engine repair.